College Picks, Week 12: Stanford (-11) over Cal in the Big Game, it’s just formula now

A lot of things going on today, so right to the picks before I get too bogged down…

—-KAWAKAMI (last week 1-2, overall 17-15-1)/

* STANFORD -11, over Cal: Will I annoy Cal fans if I say this is just a formula call all the way? But it is. It’s very formula.

The formula: Stanford has won six straight Big Games and five of them have been by 12 or more points.

More formula: David Shaw doesn’t lose to Sonny Dykes.

Last formula: Cal has given up 44 points or more in its last five games and Stanford’s offense, while limited, has gone right through bad defenses lately.

* DUKE +7.5, over Pittsburgh: The Blue Devils are having a down year, no doubt… but still have covered their last five games (three of them outright losses, but inside the number).

Because even in a bad year, David Cutcliffe can absolutely coach. Also, Pitt is coming off the emotional upset of Clemson and may be due for a little letdown.

* OKLAHOMA -3.5, over West Virginia: I think the Sooners–who have scored at least 34 points in each one of their seven straight victories–probably will win by two TDs or more and should put up 40 or more.

—PURDY (last week 0-0-1, overall 8-3)/
* UCLA +13 over USC — Come on! This is way too many points to give an underdog in a traditional rivalry, isn’t it? Bruins are bad but if they are going to play anyone tough, it’s these guys, especially in the Rose Bowl.